A hickey is a noticeable red or purple mark, often occurring on the neck, that prompts a search for a fast remedy. This superficial bruise is a source of embarrassment for many people. Among the numerous folk remedies circulated online, applying toothpaste is a widely discussed home treatment. This article examines the efficacy of toothpaste and offers scientifically grounded methods for reducing the mark’s visibility.
The Truth About Toothpaste and Hickeys
Toothpaste does not get rid of a hickey, despite its popularity as an alleged quick fix. The misconception likely arises from the cooling or tingling sensation that many mint-flavored toothpastes produce. Ingredients like menthol or peppermint oil create a sensory illusion, making the area feel stimulated or soothed. Some people mistake this temporary feeling for healing or improved circulation.
This cooling effect is only temporary and does not address the biological damage underlying the mark. Toothpaste is formulated for dental hygiene and lacks the properties needed to reabsorb pooled blood or repair broken capillaries. Abrasive compounds and chemical irritants in some toothpastes, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, can cause further skin irritation, redness, or even chemical burns. Applying toothpaste may do more harm than good by irritating the sensitive skin in the bruised area, potentially making the mark more noticeable.
What Causes a Hickeys
A hickey, medically known as ecchymosis, is a type of bruise resulting from trauma to the skin. The mark is created by concentrated suction or biting that applies enough negative pressure to rupture small, delicate blood vessels just beneath the skin’s surface. These broken vessels, called capillaries, leak tiny amounts of blood into the surrounding connective tissues.
The visible discoloration is the pooled blood trapped beneath the epidermis. The body’s natural healing process involves gradually breaking down and reabsorbing this blood. This process causes the mark to change color over several days, moving from red or dark purple to shades of green, yellow, and brown. The time it takes for a hickey to fully fade, ranging from three days to two weeks, depends entirely on the body’s rate of clearing this internal blood collection.
Effective Strategies for Reducing Visibility
There is no way to instantly erase a hickey, but certain strategies can accelerate the body’s natural healing process. Immediate treatment focuses on minimizing the initial pooling of blood.
Cold Therapy (First 48 Hours)
For the first 48 hours after the mark appears, applying a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in a cloth can constrict the blood vessels and reduce swelling. Apply the cold compress for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, several times a day.
Warm Therapy and Massage
After the initial 48-hour period, the goal shifts to encouraging the dispersal and reabsorption of the pooled blood. Switching to a warm compress can help dilate the blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the area and assisting the body in clearing the trapped blood cells. Apply a warm compress for 10 minutes multiple times a day until the mark starts to fade.
Gentle physical manipulation can also be beneficial in the later stages of healing. Lightly massaging the area can help break up the blood clot and stimulate lymphatic drainage, which aids in removing waste products from the tissue.
Topical Treatments
Topical products containing ingredients like Vitamin K or Arnica may also be helpful, as these are used to speed up the healing of bruises. Vitamin K is involved in the blood-clotting process. Arnica is an herb with anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce discoloration and swelling.